God Chooses the Foolish

Lem lane

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I’d like to invite your attention to again this morning, and verse 26. We have titled our study through 1 Corinthians, “To the Church.” Which is a phrase we see in Paul’s introduction. Paul is writing this letter, “To the Church.” The ekklesia, or the assembly of God’s people.

Paul is writing, not the ekklesia of God universally, but specifically God’s gathered people, in the port city of Corinth. A city filled with sexual sins, pagan idolatry, and a pride culture that feeds individual pride at the expense of causing others shame.

We are still early on in the letter, and we’re still early on in the first part of the letter, in which Paul is beginning to deal with the first problem. The house of Chloe, has reported to him, that there are schisms in their midst. Even though they are still meeting together for worship, they are all divided up into their own camps based around their favorite preachers, or possibly their favorite ministry styles.

Paul has been, and will continue to do so through chapter 4, showing the folly of such division. One, because they are all one in Christ and Christ alone is the Head of the church.

Two, because our unity is not found in ministry style, but in the POWERFUL message of the cross. The message that both Jews and Gentiles see as foolish and weak. God intended it to work this way....so then that’s why Paul preached the simple gospel, plainly.

In this morning’s text, Paul will draw their attention back to the circumstances surrounding their conversion to Christianity....

He wants them to consider, God’s Call. The Corinthians need to be reminded who they are, without God summoning them into the fellowship of His Son. They must be reminded, God Chooses the Foolish.

So, let’s read it, and then begin to unpack it....

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

So, let’s read it, and then begin to unpack it....

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

(Father, these are Your words. Please help us rightly understand them, and be entirely changed by them, through the working of your Holy Spirit, for Christ’s sake, Amen.)

It doesn’t take much digging to see WHY Paul would be calling upon this body of believers to consider this calling. Paul is aware, that wherever self-exalting pride exists within the human heart, especially within those in the church, it will cause factionalism, splits, and division.

When we prioritize ourselves, we prioritize our own opinions, over and above the opinions of others..and eventually, over and above the clear teaching of the Word of God.

So Paul seeks to remind these Corinthians, of the circumstances surrounding their call into Christianity, so that they would be knocked down a few notches, and remember who deserves all praise for salvation.

And of course, this is certainly a need for us today as well. Just consider the lyrics to two songs sung in many churches today:

“You thought I was WORTH saving So you came and changed my life You thought I was WORTH keeping So you cleaned me up inside You thought I was to die for So you sacrificed your life So I could be free So I could be whole So I could tell everyone I know Hallelujah Glory to God who changed my life And I will praise you I'll worship you I'll give you glory Because I am Because I am”

“He saw the best in me When everyone else around Could only see the worst in me (repeat x1,000,000)

He's mine, and I am his It doesn't matter what I did He only sees me for who I am” (the fact that He see us for who we are, should TERRIFY us)

These type of songs are sadly prevalent throughout the church. They reveal the reality of our worship services, which have become blatantly man-centered. At the very least, we are bordering on proud, unashamed, self-worship. We are prone to make bold attempts to snatch away God’s glory, in order to give it to ourselves.

We think far too highly of ourselves than we ought.

Our tendency, is to drift towards the mindset of the Pharisee Jesus talked about, praying near the tax collector. The Pharisee prayed proudly, “I thank you, that I’m so great and do so many wonderful things for you, and that I’m not like this rotten tax collector over here.”

In other words....you thought I was worth something, so I thank you for seeing that

But the tax collector of course, would not lift his eyes towards heaven, but smote himself on his chest and prayed, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

“Was it for crimes that I had done, you groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree.”

Jesus said, that man went down to his house, justified.

He recognized his nothingness....he was poor in spirit, and Jesus said, all who are, are blessed.

HE DIDN’T SAVE US, BECAUSE HE SAW SOMETHING WORTHY WITHIN US

When Paul reminds them of their conversion, he is reminding them of their obvious nothingness. He is attacking human pride and self-worth. Because he knows, there is no way to split and divide over ministry styles and ministers, unless one has a far too high view of themselves, or mankind in general.

He has shown in the previous verses, that this message of the cross, is intentionally that which the world would deem foolish, so that God can display His own glory, His own wisdom and power, and reveal to man, that his power and wisdom doesn’t even compare.

But what Paul reminds the Corinthians of here, is that God not only chose a weak and foolish message....Paul makes clear in this passage, that even those whom He called to Himself through that message, those whom He assembled together in His ekklesia, are also considered the weak and foolish of the world.

Paul takes from them any notion, that they are in Christ BECAUSE of who they are, or what they have done, in order that they might realize, only GOD should be praised.

And that is precisely our main point today as well....this is the point I hope is driven deeply into our hearts....

REFLECTING UPON OUR CONVERSION REVEALS, ONLY GOD DESERVES THE PRAISE.

So, let’s just follow along with Paul here, as he lays out this case for the Corinthians.

First of all, Paul describes their status in the world

1. Worldly Status

1 Corinthians 1:26

1 Corinthians 1:26 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

1 Corinthians 1:26 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

For: because

Consider your calling: contemplate the details surrounding God’s summons, joining you with Christ. He goes from call, to describing their status. So obviously he is drawing their attention not to the call itself, but the time of their calling…so that they can reflect upon WHO they were…who it was that God called to Himself.

What was your status?

Not many were wise, according to worldly standards

The wording could actually be translated, not many were wise in the flesh

Flesh here, being in reference to unregenerate humanity. So here, according to the standards or ideas of the unsaved world around us, there weren’t many of you who were wise

This is not only identifying a low intelligence, or the ability to apply knowledge according to wordly standards....this would also attack their previous social status. For the wise, were esteemed highly in this culture. So Paul is stating that not many of them were in this highly esteemed part of society.

In fact, all of these terms would have to do with their status in the world.

Not many were powerful: meaning those who were influential, due possibly to their wealth…but their influence would be seen in society and in politics.

Not many were of noble birth: that doesn’t take much explaining. Not many of those called into fellowship in Christ, in Corinth, were of noble birth…were born into the upper echelon of society.

Paul is clear. Look around brothers and sisters, and think back to when you were called by God into this fellowship. There weren’t many of you who were the cream of the crop in society.

NOW, we must be careful here not to read from this text, what it doesn’t say. God’s Word does not say, “NONE of you were wise, powerful, or of noble birth.” Therefore, it is not teaching that only those down-cast in society will be saved, therefore we ought not bother preaching the gospel to the blue blood snobs of society.

But Paul does remind them, that for the most part, they were not the cream of the crop in society.

But he is clearly pointing out, that God predominantly went to those who are despised, and drew them to Himself.

Illustrate

Isn’t this the way God has always worked? If we trace the storyline of Scripture from beginning to end, and see God’s redemptive plan unfolding chapter by chapter over time, it becomes clear, that God quite often chooses the least, the weakest, the powerless, to be a part of His people, to fulfill His purposes.

Think of God’s choice of Israel

Deuteronomy 7:7 ESV

7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,

Deuteronomy 7:7–8 ESV

7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 7:7–8 ESV

Deuteronomy 7:8 ESV

8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Think of David slaying the giant Goliath

Or David being anointed king, and God telling Samuel, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but GOD looks at the heart.”

Think of Gideon and his response to God’s initial call to conquer God’s enemies and free God’s people, “Our tribe is the smallest, my family is the smallest of the tribe, and I’m the weakest of my family.”

God quite often chooses the ones deemed weak and foolish by the standards of the world

Apply

But we know that from experience don’t we?

How many of us here, were born into fame and popularity?

How many of us here, while walking down the street have the world fawning over your presence?

Praise God for those in this category God calls to Himself, and there are faithful members in other congregations....but may God help us see, that you and I have no right to testify of our salvation and say, “I don’t know what He saw in me, but it must have been good that I couldn’t see.”

That’s not a humble testimony....that is prideful. And it’s the opposite of the conclusion we should come to when considering our calling into Christianity.

Just think brothers and sisters, of your worldly status....not many of us, were highly prized in the world.

But now, by the sovereign grace of God.....we are His treasured people!

Paul then goes on from the description of their status, to the explanation of WHY, those deemed unwise, not powerful, and not of noble birth…are in the family of God.

It was because of....

2. God’s Intentional Choice

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 ESV

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 ESV

1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

3 times in these two verses, you have that phrase, “God chose.”

This is of course, in reference to these Corinthian believers. Paul stresses repeatedly in these opening verses, the fact that these individuals were chosen by God, and called by God....and this is done intentionally it would seem, in an effort to attack their pride.

It’s not because of their own initiative, or their own power, that they’re in the ekklesia. God chose...

Call & Choice of God

Verse 1, 2, 9, 24, 26, 27-28, 30

“Well…if not my initiative, perhaps it’s because God saw something special in me. He saw what I would become, or He saw how I would respond.”

As in the case of the foolishness of God, in the Gospel message, the message of the cross....so it is in the foolishness of those God chooses and calls to Himself....He does so, with intention.

God chose, what is foolish in the world, TO shame the wise.

Notice, each of these descriptors is the contrast, of what Paul said these Corinthians “were not.”

Not many were wise....God chose what is foolish.

Not many were powerful, God chose what is weak.

Not many were of noble birth, God chose what is low and despised in the world.

God called together people, by His sovereign grace, primarily from peoples the world would’t even consider worthy to join their clubs.

And He did so with the same purpose as to why the message of the cross is His means of salvation. He is going to show man’s wisdom and power, is nothing other than foolishness and weakness.

Through the rag-tag group that God calls to Himself, and gathers together as God’s, “chosen generation, royal priesthood, God’s holy nation,” God will shame those who are wise according to the world’s standards; those who are strong and influential according to the world’s standards; and He will bring to nothing all those who believe themselves to be somethings.

He doesn’t save the low and despised, in order to lift them high in the world and cause them to be esteemed.

David Garland’s commentary quotes Calvin: ““in putting the strong and wise and great to shame, God does not exalt the weak and uneducated and worthless, but brings all of them down to one common level.””

Illustrate

This is of course one of the purposes of redemption itself

God is undoing, unraveling, He is conquering, man’s rebellion

The first sin, was a sin that was an attempt to, “be like gods.”

It was an exaltation of themselves....and God has consistently worked throughout redemptive history in a way that dethrones man from his self-appointment as king, ruling by his own desires

In fact, the Psalmists repeatedly leads the people of God to pray and sing to God, things like:

Psalm 9:19–20 ESV

19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! 20 Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

Psalm 9:19–20 ESV

19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! 20 Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

God doesn’t act in a way, that makes mankind feel better about themselves. God acts in a way that reveals to man, who He Himself is....thereby revealing to man, who man truly is.

So, consider your calling Corinthians. God chose you, not because you were inherently special, because of your high esteem in the world, but because you were low. And He did so, with the intention, of bringing down those who think themselves to be high.

Paul is showing that God is attacking the very system of worldly standards prevalent in Corinth, which is a system that seems to have been carried over with them into their life in the church.

Again, David Garland, “Since all of them were nothing before their conversion, how can any of them think that they have become more special than others when in Christ?”

Since all of them were nothing before their conversion, how can any of them think that they have become more special than others when in Christ?

Apply

Of course, that speaks loud and clear to all of us in Christ.

It reminds us, to never think too highly of ourselves, but to consider others’ needs before our own

It speaks to Christian fathers, or Christian men in general…seeking to set an example for their children, or for younger Christians.

You want them to be leaders, to contribute to society, to think ahead and prepare for their careers and prepare ahead of time to have a healthy home. But above and beyond all of that, you want to teach, and set the example, of living a life for the glory of God.

What good is modeling how to prepare for financial security, if you haven’t modeled how to put God before money making? All we’re doing is instilling the world’s value system within them, so they can one day look down their nose at those who didn’t prepare ahead of time.

Teach them, and model for them, that a life spent for the glory of God can be done as a CEO of a company, as a man not afraid to work hard and earn money, or in the jungles of a region in the world unreached by the gospel, dying a poor person giving your life to see some come to Christ.

And for those not in Christ today, either you know you’re not or you’re beginning to see you thought you were, but you’re actually not....hear this Word speak to you.

God saves the weakest of society, in order to destroy the strength of rebel human society

So when you think, “But my upbringing wasn’t the best. My past is marred by awful sins. I have no money or influence to offer to the church. Surely, God doesn’t want me.”

You’re a prime candidate. Not because of what He sees in you, but because through saving you, He can fulfill His own purposes.

Look at what Paul will say to the Corinthians in chapter 6...

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

The Corinthians were not only socially in the gutter....they were morally and spiritually in the gutter. And God SAVED them!

He can, and will, do so for ALL who turn today from their sins to trust in Jesus’ sinless life, His death in your place, and His resurrection from the dead. Don’t wait another moment…trust Jesus today.

So…we see their worldly status; we see God’s intentional choice, and we understand that it was to bring to nothing man’s pride.

But there was another intention in God’s plan....

3. To Bring God Glory

Repeatedly, throughout these opening verses, Paul is teaching the Corinthians that man is not to boast in himself. But Paul is not teaching, that man ought not boast.

There is no reason to exult, or exalt, or praise themselves....they were nothings by the world’s standards when God called them.

So the point in God’s intentional choice, and in God’s effectual call…is....

1 Corinthians 1:29 ESV

29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:29 ESV

29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

This is the reason he has been stressing GOD’S action in saving them. So that, in God’s presence, no flesh....no person would be able to stand and have any grounds upon which to boast in themselves.

He sums up what God has done in saving them, in verse 30

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

It is not because of your initiative

It is not because of your status in the world

It is not because of your birth....it is entirely BECAUSE of God

Meaning that God is the SOURCE and the CAUSE for your inclusion into Christ

Their existence in Christ Jesus is from God (nrsv; cf. ; ), and it is also because of him (niv) that they have this being.

And notice the sufficiency of Christ. He has become to us, wisdom from God. We saw that in verse 24. To those God calls, Christ is recognized as God’s wisdom and God’s power. BECAUSE of God, Christ has now been recognized by us for who He was all along, God’s wisdom on display.

Paul says, He has become to us, righteousness.

Philippians 3:9 ESV

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Philippians 3:9 ESV

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

They, and we, are declared innocent before God, not because we have no sins, or because God has simply chosen to overlook our sins; but Christ has become sin for us and taken our punishment, as well as taking the righteousness He earned through His obedience, and transferring it to our account. Christ IS our righteousness.

He has become to us, sanctification. This isn’t dealing so much with their practical holiness or sanctification in that sense. Meaning, their daily warfare of identifying sin and yielding to the Spirit to put it to death within their members. But instead, it’s their consecrated position in Christ. They are set apart as HOLY, because they are IN Christ.

(). So, they were IN and OF the world....now they are merely in the world, and not of it. They have been placed INTO Christ, spiritually....therefore they are OF Christ, and not this world. They are separated, consecrated, holy.

CHRIST…IS…our sanctification.

He has become to us, redemption. , , and , all deal with this idea of redemption, of being purchased and bought from slavery, in connection with our sins being forgiven.

So Christ’s work, which the Father chose them and called them in to, gives to these Corinthians a new standing of righteousness before God, a new position as separate from the world which is still awaiting God’s judgement while they await their glorification at Christ’s return, and has forgiven their trespasses so that their old status of sinner no longer stands.

What the Father planned in redeeming a people for Himself, the Son accomplished by His own work, and the Spirit applies to individual believers.

So then, Corinthians....considering your calling. Consider the magnitude of this call…and realize, you have ZERO REASON, to boast in yourselves.

Paul then draws from the OT, quoting from , to bring his main point home further.

1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV

31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV

31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

There is praise to be issued for salvation. Credit is to be given. There is exalting that is due. But flesh isn’t the one to receive it. We ourselves, are not worthy.

Paul is saying, you Corinthians are dividing over preachers and styles, but you need to be reminded, that God chose to work through the weak and foolish message of the cross, in the lives of the weak and foolish people of the world, who are YOU, so that humans couldn’t boast, and we’re left with only one recourse.....

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD!”

Galatians 6:14 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Illustrate

Think back, brothers and sisters, to the story of Gideon. Gideon is called upon by God to deliver the people of God, from Midianite rule.

You remember the story. God takes the initial army of Israelites, that was to go up against the MASSIVE army of God’s enemies....and He widdles them down, time and again. WHY?

Judges 7:2 ESV

2 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

Judges 7:2 ESV

2 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

We are prone to take credit for the work of God. taught us that God saved us by grace, LEST WE BOAST....lest we say, “my own hand has saved me.”

Think of the height of our sinful nature, that we would be in the presence of God, that presence which caused men to tremble and believe themselves to be dead....and that we would stand there, and boast in ourselves.

Matthew 7:22 ESV

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Matthew 7:22–23 ESV

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Apply

We have the tendency of making much of ourselves.

As we said earlier, this is evident in our singing. But it is also evident in the fact that we are just as prone to dividing and factionalizing as the Corinthians.

Churches have split over whether or not we should use a drum, or what color carpet should be used, over styles of singing and how long sermons should be, or for a whole host of other reasons.

Pride, self-exaltation, and high opinions of oneself are obviously prevalent in the hearts of those people.

But we must understand that the same danger is real for Covenant Community.

I mean, as I read about those other silly reasons for church splits, how many sensed a feeling of pride evident in your heart saying, “Whew, at least we’re not like those guys!”

Remember the Pharisee again..... “Thank you that I’m not like this tax collector.”

Well, if we’re going to boast, let’s boast in the Lord.

Why are we not preaching heresy? God’s grace kept us from it!

Why are we careful to worship Him as His Word declares? God’s grace worked those convictions into our hearts!

Conclusion

So then, after looking at this passage, it should be clear to us, that we have no reason to take credit, any credit at all, for our salvation.

REFLECTING UPON OUR CONVERSION REVEALS, ONLY GOD DESERVES PRAISE.

So then, instead of singing songs like, “He thought I was worth it,” maybe we reflect upon the message of the cross, and the Incarnate Son of God suffering for sinners, and we sing songs like:

1 And can it be that I should gain An int'rest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?

And in such hymns, we recognize the magnitude of His sovereign gracious act in saving us…and we sing:

4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Brothers and sisters, consider your calling. You are in Christ, because of God. So yes boast, but not in yourselves. Boast instead, in your Lord!

One way in which of course, our Lord has provided for us to consider the message of the cross, the Person upon the cross, and the reality that we are in Him, is the Lord’s Supper. This is a sign from God, and a proclamation to each other, that we individually, and therefore corporately, are in Christ.

Examine yourself this morning, for this holy meal is not be participated in flippantly. If we are not truly in Christ, we need not participate. This meal is for those in Christ, and those in Christ only. Those not in Christ, or those in obvious unrepentant sin being disciplined by a local church…this meal is not for you.

But for those who struggle with sin, but are still trusting in their Savior.....in this meal we remember our Lord, and we look forward with eager anticipation to the time we will share a meal with Him in person.

In this meal, we boast....we glory....in our Lord, who saved us by His broken body and shed blood!

Let us pray in preparation....

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 ESV

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.